Sports
Cycling Legend Lance Armstrong Trolls Dale Earnhardt Jr. Details Behind the Banter Between the Sporting Icons
Cycling Legend Lance Armstrong Trolls Dale Earnhardt Jr. Details Behind the Banter Between the Sporting Icons
In the world of sports icons, unexpected friendships and banter often arise, revealing the lighter side of these legends. One such amusing episode unfolded when cycling legend Lance Armstrong decided to playfully troll NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. The origins of this banter trace back to 2017 when Earnhardt Jr. explored new athletic endeavors in the twilight of his racing career, delving into the world of cycling.
Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time Cup Series champion and Earnhardt Jr.’s teammate, played a pivotal role in introducing him to cycling. Little did they know that this newfound interest would lead to a lighthearted exchange between Earnhardt Jr. and Lance Armstrong.
Armstrong, known for his prowess on the cycling track, couldn’t resist poking fun at Earnhardt Jr. when a picture surfaced on social media featuring the NASCAR legend sporting tight spandex and low socks during a cycling session. Johnson, the intermediary in this playful exchange, shared Armstrong’s cheeky message: “Your boy gotta get some taller (expletive) socks.”
Earnhardt Jr., taking the jest in stride, not only laughed off the comment but also responded in good humor. He even went on to provide his shoe size, playfully inviting Armstrong to send him some free cycling gear. The exchange, initially confined to private messages, took an unexpected turn when Armstrong decided to share it with the world.
Cycling Legend Lance Armstrong Trolls Dale Earnhardt Jr. Details Behind the Banter Between the Sporting Icons
Armstrong posted a screenshot of the amusing conversation on his own social media accounts, stating, “So I see this tweet from @dalejr, and he’s whinin’ about having to wear spandex since he’s taken up #cycling recently. Then I spot these super low socks he’s rockin’ and I’m like, ‘cmon bro.’”
Earnhardt Jr., true to his nature, responded to the banter with wit. In a tweet directed at Brad Keselowski, he humorously admitted, “I don’t know much [About cycling]. Except cycling is expensive, short socks are bad, and @lancearmstrong will Gram your text in a New York minute.”
The banter didn’t end there. Within days, Earnhardt Jr. turned the tables by finding a picture of Armstrong cycling with no socks on and promptly shared it on his Instagram. With a touch of playful sarcasm, he wrote, “@lancearmstrong says no short socks in cycling! But what is this? Have you changed your tune? Photo credit @jimmiejohnson.”
Beyond the online exchange, the camaraderie between Johnson, Armstrong, and Earnhardt Jr. flourished, leading to late-night calls and unexpected connections. In a twist of events, Johnson found himself apologizing to Earnhardt Jr. for numerous FaceTime calls during one memorable night. When Junior didn’t answer, Armstrong and Johnson reached out to country singer Willie Nelson instead, adding another layer of humor to their growing friendship.
READ: Kevin Harvick’s sponsor released good news ahead of 2024 Daytona 500
This unique interaction highlights the bond that can form between sports legends from different disciplines, showcasing their shared love for competition and camaraderie. As Earnhardt Jr. gracefully embraced the banter, it not only provided fans with entertainment but also offered a glimpse into the unexpected friendships that can blossom in the world of sports.
In the realm where speed and competition usually take center stage, these light-hearted moments remind us that even sporting icons appreciate a good laugh and the camaraderie that transcends their respective disciplines. Lance Armstrong’s playful jab at Dale Earnhardt Jr. serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of sportsmanship that extends beyond the racetrack and cycling trail.
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Ferrari warned Lewis Hamilton will cause internal drama
A former Ferrari engineer has criticised the decision to bring in Lewis Hamilton and thinks the Brit’s presence will mean “a lot of potential for drama”.
At the age of 40, seven-time Formula 1 champion Hamilton will form a formidable driver partnership with Charles Leclerc. His big switch comes at the expense of Carlos Sainz, who has performed well for the Italian squad but who was axed so they had room for their blockbuster new signing.
But not everyone of a Ferrari persuasion is convinced that it will go well. Ernest Knoors, who spent many years as an engineer at Maranello, specialising in power units, worries that Hamilton’s presence could do more harm than good for a team that is finding its groove under Frederic Vasseur.
“A big name like Hamilton also brings a lot of politics and if politics within Ferrari are not managed well, then there is a lot of potential for drama,” he told Formule1.nl. “Hamilton has the tendency that if things do not work out, he turns his whole car upside down and starts experimenting.
“Ferrari believes very much in the big personalities and will follow him. But Hamilton is just someone you have to guide a little bit and not give the freedom to rebuild the whole car, because then it will go completely wrong. So I do not know if it is such a smart move, but of course it is nice for the sport.”
News of Hamilton’s planned move broke on February 1, coinciding with football’s Transfer Deadline Day. That the back pages of many newspapers were dominated by the decision of Hamilton to swap Mercedes for Ferrari was testament to the magnitude of the announcement.
Sainz was not surprised as he had been informed by his team of the plan ahead of it being made public. But the Spaniard responded well with two victories to date this season and five further appearances on the podium, on the way to what looks likely to be a fifth-placed finish in the championship – two spots and 54 points ahead of Hamilton.
Sainz has signed for Williams next year and, after several years of running at the front of the grid, will focus on his new challenge of helping restore one of the grid’s most historic teams to its former glory. But Knoors believes he should have been kept on by Ferrari instead.
The Dutchman added: “I see Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari more as a PR move. With all due respect, Hamilton is not going to take that Ferrari from P6 to P1. He will get the most out of it, but what Ferrari has to do is make that car faster. And if you make that car faster, you can easily drive at the front with the current line-up.
“Besides, as a team you have to look further on the horizon. If Hamilton becomes champion in the coming years, he and Ferrari will become immortal. But if you want to build a team with talent for the next five years, are you going to build on Hamilton? No, because he will really be finished after two or three years. That is why I would have kept the very strong line-up that Ferrari has now.”
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Listen to Chase Elliott, No. 9 team react to pace car crash at Phoenix in 2024
Chase Elliott had a front-row seat for one of NASCAR’s most bizarre moments of the 2024 Cup Series season. At the start of Stage 2, the pace car dove onto pit road in front of Elliott; however, it was a tad too late. The pace car made contact with the sand barrels at the entry of pit road and caused a red flag for cleanup.
Initially, there was some speculation on the NBC Sports broadcast, even from the No. 9 team, that Elliott made contact with the pace car. Fortunately, the pace car didn’t slide across the No. 9 car’s nose, but it undoubtedly provided one of NASCAR’s craziest red flag moments in recent memory.
Below, you can listen to Elliott and the No. 9 team react to the pace car crashing into the sand barrels on pit road at Phoenix during Championship Weekend!
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Exposes NASCAR’s Hidden Truth: The Pressure Turns Champions Miserable
Reflecting on the recent retirement of 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr., Earnhardt didn’t mince words about the toll NASCAR takes on its drivers. Speaking candidly, the two-time Daytona 500 winner admitted that the pressure to perform every week left him feeling miserable for most of his racing career—a sentiment he believes is shared by many of his peers.
“Right or wrong, racing made me a miserable person 90% of the time,” Earnhardt confessed. “And him too. I mean, ask Kyle Busch, ask anybody—unless you’re winning, you’re not happy.”
For these elite drivers, the sport is a relentless grind. A podium finish might bring temporary relief, but anything short of victory is often a source of frustration. The immense effort poured into preparation and execution rarely feels like it pays off unless the checkered flag is theirs.
Earnhardt highlighted the mental toll of falling short, explaining how the relentless focus on winning can overshadow the joy of simply competing. Even a solid performance feels hollow compared to the euphoria of a win.
“Unless you’re winning, you’re not happy at all,” he said. “You’re okay with a good run, but for the most part, all the effort it takes just to run good—it doesn’t weigh out.”
For drivers, the stakes are sky-high every week. Sponsors, fans, and teams demand nothing less than excellence, leaving little room for error or personal satisfaction in anything less than a dominant performance.
Earnhardt also shared insights into his friendship with Martin Truex Jr., who recently announced his retirement. While the two often spend time hunting together during NASCAR’s off-season, Earnhardt noted that the stress of racing even creeps into their leisure activities.
“When I’m with him during hunting season, it’s always in the back of his mind,” Earnhardt said. “It’s that stressful part of the year when he’s as miserable as he’s going to be.”
Now, with Truex stepping away from the track, Earnhardt looks forward to seeing a lighter, happier version of his long-time friend. Without the weight of weekly competition hanging over him, Truex might finally be able to relax and enjoy the outdoor lifestyle he cherishes.
“It’ll be fun to see him loosen up,” Earnhardt added.
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